What most of Cleveland had hoped was a cruel speculation-based rumor appears to be true: Derek Anderson says that he will be returning to Cleveland to rejoin the man who got him to the Pro Bowl in 2007, Rob Chudzinski.
Per Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald, Anderson was a back-up to Carolina’s Cam Newton and will be facing an expiring contract this coming offseason — he fired off this update on his Facebook page shortly after the Browns announced the hiring of Chudzinski:
“Looks like it is time to make a return to a familiar place for some unfinished business,” Anderson posted on his Facebook page one day after Chudzinski was named Browns coach. “I’d be honored to return to Cleveland to play football if the fans would have me.”
The man they call Chud was the Browns offensive coordinator and Anderson the starting quarterback for 15 games in 2007 when the quarterback threw 29 touchdown passes and passed for 3,787 yards. Chudzinski reportedly influenced the Panthers to sign Anderson as a “tutor” for Newton, last season’s Rookie of the Year.
Upon Anderson’s release in 2009, he went on record to call Cleveland fans “ruthless” and undeserving of a winning football team. Once his comments made national headlines, Anderson would apologize.
Late last week, rumors began swirling surrounding the potential return of Anderson. Neither Chudzinski nor anyone else can comment on Anderson or any potential free agent, however, as the new league year doesn’t begin until March 12.
[Related: Derek Anderson Still Doesn’t Think It’s Funny on Twitter]
